Changes At Historic Alburtis Restaurant

Terry and Hope Bender, owners of The Buckeye Tavern in Macungie, are turning… (CONTRIBUTED PHOTO )

June 05, 2013|By Lenora Dannelke, Special to The Morning Call

At 11 a.m. May 20 Terry and Hope Bender, owners of The Buckeye Tavern in Macungie, signed papers to purchase the former Iron Horse Restaurant in Alburtis. At 3 p.m. they hosted a well-attended ribbon cutting at 106 N. Main St., announcing the restaurant's new name — Alburtis Tavern on Main. The 60-plus seat restaurant is expected to reopen in mid-September.

Until then, numerous renovations are taking place. Although walls are being removed to create an open feel, care is being taken to preserve the character of the early 19th century building. "I want to keep the history and bring it to life," Terry says. "We're putting a deck out front so people can watch the trains go by."

Terry's current chefs are working with U.S. Food Co. chefs to develop a menu completely different from the Buckeye. "It will be smaller and have unique items. We want to focus on things people like, but make them better," Terry says. He envisions the Alburtis Tavern as a casual family-friendly place where guests can feel comfortable in jeans or a business suit.

As a commitment to the community, the Alburtis Tavern is title-sponsoring the 29th annual Alburtis 5K Road Race/Walk on Aug. 10. "We won't even be open yet, but that's the kind of stuff you do," Terry says.

THE PUB AT WEGMANS OPENS

The Pub at Wegmans, a full-service restaurant and bar, opened Wednesday at the upscale supermarket chain's original Lehigh Valley location in Allentown. It's now serving internationally inspired cuisine as well as craft beers, original cocktails and wines by the bottle or glass for lunch and dinner.

The 130-seat mahogany-accented Pub, with a separate lounge and family-friendly dining room in the Marketplace Cafe, can be entered at a new entrance on the north side of the building. "We aim to offer our guests the best and most comprehensive food experience, from shopping for groceries to enjoying dinner and drinks," says store manager Mike Kier.

Under the direction of Executive Chef Geno Noscenzo, the menu includes soups, sandwiches, pizzas, salads, entrees and nightly and seasonal specials in a variety of culinary styles, all prepared with ingredients sold in-store. Current menu features include The Pub Tomato Soup, Manchurian Cauliflower, Beef Short Rib "Bahn Mi" Sandwich, Farm-Raised Atlantic Salmon, Crispy Chicken "Under the Brick" and The Amore Steak. Prices are $5-$22.

Sly Fox Brewing has crafted a summer ale, Wegmans Sly Fox Tale Chaser, to be served exclusively at the Pub.

The Pub at Wegmans is at 3900 W. Tilghman St. Info: 610-336-7900, http://www.wegmans.com/thepub.